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NEWS RELEASE
APRIL 30, 2010 #10-019
11:00 A.M. DONALDSON

UPDATE
Suspect Wanted in Double Homicide Arrested in New York

An investigation in the whereabouts of the suspect wanted in the double homicide on S. Reynolds Street has led to his arrest in New York last night. Alexandria detectives worked in conjunction with the United States Marshals Service (USMS) and New York Police Department (NYPD) to arrest Simon Bahta Asfeha, 34, of Alexandria.

On April 29, NYPD received a tip on where Asefha was staying. USMS and NYPD located the suspect and took him into custody without incident. Asfeha was wanted for murder in the deaths of Seble G. Tessema, 27, and their 3 year-old daughter. Asefha had a prior relationship with Ms. Tessema and was the father of the child.

On April 11, at approximately 10:00 A.M., police were called to the 300 block of S. Reynolds Street for a domestic disturbance. Upon their arrival, they found a mother and daughter deceased in the apartment. An autopsy determined the manner of death to be homicide. The cause of death was determined to be multiple sharp force trauma to the upper body.

“This suspect was found because of the tireless efforts of our detectives and the cooperative efforts of the United States Marshals Service and the New York Police Department,” said Alexandria Police Chief Earl L. Cook. “I greatly appreciate everyone’s diligence, hard work and commitment to bringing this man into custody.”

This was the first and second homicide in Alexandria this year. There were five homicides in Alexandria last year.